Two countries, Italy and Germany, will be sending official state delegations to attend the funeral. These two nations were the only two countries that were officially invited to send state delegations.
However, other heads of state, in an unofficial capacity, will be attending the funeral as well. This includes the president of Hungary, Katalin Novak; the president of Poland, Andrzej Duda; King Philip of Belgium; and Queen Sofia of Spain, among others.
President Joe Biden will not be attending the funeral, but Joe Donnelly, the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, will be attending and representing the United States.
When Mass ends, Benedict’s coffin will be brought to the Vatican Grottoes for final burial. He will be laid to rest in the same tomb that St. John Paul II was buried in before his beatification.
The casket of St. John Paul II is now located in the upper part of St. Peter’s Basilica.
As Benedict XVI is carried to his resting place in the crypt, the choir will sing the Magnificat in Latin. He will be buried with a short piece of text that briefly describes the pontificate, which will be inserted in a metal tube.
Bruni said that a ribbon will be placed around Benedict’s coffin. The seals of the Apostolic Chamber, the Pontifical Household, and of the liturgical celebrations will also be placed around the coffin.
Benedict’s zinc coffin will be placed inside a wooden coffin before burial, which will take place privately.
CNA’s coverage of the life of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and his funeral can be read here.
Joseph Bukuras is a journalist at the Catholic News Agency. Joe has prior experience working in state and federal government, in non-profits, and Catholic education. He has contributed to an array of publications and his reporting has been cited by leading news sources, including the New York Times and the Washington Post. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the Catholic University of America. He is based out of the Boston area.
